Nigeria’s U-17 girls took a giant step towards qualifying for the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup after securing an impressive 3-1 away victory against South Africa’s Bantwana at the Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
Shakirat Moshood, who scored four goals at the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 20th minute to put the Flamingos ahead.
Harmony Chidi, who netted an impressive 13 goals during the qualifying series for last year’s finals, doubled Nigeria’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, demonstrating her composure from six yards out.
The South Africans reduced the deficit two minutes after the restart when Malebana successfully converted a penalty for the hosts, briefly giving Bantwana hope of a comeback.
However, the prolific Chidi extinguished those hopes when she grabbed her second goal of the match in the 68th minute, restoring Nigeria’s two-goal advantage and putting the Flamingos firmly in control of the tie.
The return leg will be played at the Remo Stars’ Stadium in Ikenne-Remo next Saturday, with the aggregate winner advancing to the final round of the qualification series.
All four winners from the final round will join hosts Morocco as Africa’s representatives at this year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 5.
The Flamingos, who claimed a historic bronze medal at the 2022 edition of the tournament, are bidding to make their second consecutive appearance at the global showpiece after their participation in last year’s tournament in the Dominican Republic.
Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side will be confident of completing the job on home soil next weekend, with the two-goal cushion giving them a significant advantage heading into the second leg.
